MXPA00010605A - A container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (1), preferably a container containing wetted tissues comprising a container body (10) and a lid (11), said lid comprising a stationary lid member (13) and a movable lid member (14). The container comprises at least one elastically deformable strip (15) that extends from the outer side of the movable lid member to the outer side of the stationary lid member. Moreover, the container also preferably features a releasable locking mechanism (25) for securing the movable lid member into the close position, or releasing it by a single finger push into the open position. Furthermore, and since the movable lid member is hingeably connected to the stationary lid member, each hinge housing of the stationary lid member preferably features an angle in its back side to control and fix the opening angle of the movable lid member. Finally, in case the wipes are to be dispensed from a roll, the lid preferably features a slit opening so that the user can dispense a desired length for a wipe and cut it from the rest of the roll.

Description

A CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to a container having a spring-operated opening mechanism, preferably, with a container for wet tissues.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The wet tissue containers are the most representative of the containers for consumer products to which the present invention is applied; the containers normally comprise, for example, a container body constructed so that wet wipes for personal cleaning and / or household cleaning purposes can be taken one by one, either from a pile of wet wipes or from a packaged roll in them, and a lid adapted to fit in the body to close its upper opening. This lid normally comprises a stationary lid member that fits directly onto the upper opening of the container body and a movable lid member having its articulated base end with a side end of an opening or dispensing device, formed in an area central of the stationary cover member, through which the handkerchiefs may be taken wet, one by one. Furthermore, these containers normally comprise a spring-operated opening mechanism which is achieved by using a flexible locking mechanism combined with a spring means which is normally made of rubber. The following references are directed to containers for wet wipes comprising a lid and a dispensing device: European Patent Application No. EP-0-748 7 8 Al, Um-charm Corporation, publication date: December 18, 1996, which discloses a container for wet tissues comprising a container body, a movable cover member that is hinged to a stationary cover member. An elastic strip is provided, combined with a releasable lock for automatic opening of the container; European Patent Application EP-0-629 560 A3, Keo Corp., published on 12-21-199 which describes a cap with an articulated top cover, which are joined through a joint. An elastic rubber-like member is provided on the cap body and / or the inner surface of the top cap to be elastically deformed between the cap body and the top cap, when the top cap is closed. A major problem with the aforementioned inventions is that, in some cases, the container is going to fill with wet towels that are normally moistened with a lotion that includes organic solvents and / or volatile chemicals. Then, there is a risk that these chemicals react chemically with the rubber and damage the spring very quickly. In the embodiments of the aforementioned wipes containers, the spring system is placed inside the cover and, as a result, is likely to be in contact with vapors of the lotion that is contained within the container and thus, be damaged prematurely, losing then its properties.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides the user with a container, preferably for wet wipes, comprising at least one elastically deformable strip extending from the outer side of the movable lid member towards the outer side of the member of stationary lid, to thereby create a spring-operated opening mechanism that is not sensitive to the contents of the container. It is another object of the present invention to provide a container with a releasable latching mechanism for securing / releasing the movable lid member, respectively in the closed / open positions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container with means for controlling the opening angle of the movable lid member. It is another object of the present invention to provide the consumer with a container comprising a means for facilitating the tearing and cutting operations of a towel when dispensing from a roll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a container, preferably a container containing wet tissues, comprising a container body and a lid, the lid comprising a stationary lid member and a movable lid member, characterized in that the container comprises at least one elastically deformable strip extending from the outer side of the movable lid member to the outer side of the stationary lid member. Moreover, the container also preferably offers a releasable locking mechanism for securing the movable lid member in the closed position or releasing it by pushing a single finger towards the closed position. In addition, and since the movable cover member is hingedly connected to the stationary cover member, each articulation housing of the stationary cover member preferably has an angle at its rear side to control and fix the opening angle of the movable lid member. Finally, in the event that the towels are to be dispensed from a roll, the lid preferably has a slot opening so that the user can dispatch a desired stretch for a wipe and cut it from the rest of the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container in closed position with push button and elastic strips in the stretched position. - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container in the open position and of the rubber strips in the relaxed position. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the lid, showing a possibility of joining the rubber strip to the stationary and movable lids. Figure 4 shows the push button in closed (A) and open (B) position, by means of profile views. Figure 5 is a perspective and elongated view showing the angle on the back side of the articulation housing to control / fix the opening angle of the lid. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container with a partial lid to form a slot opening for dispensing / cutting a sheet, of a roll. Figure 7 is an elongated profile view of a rubber strip, showing its thinner ends with retention notches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A container (1) comprises a lid member (11) that fits into a container body (10) or is part of the container body (10). A stack of tissues, preferably a stack of wet tissues, is packaged in the container body (10). The handkerchiefs can be dispatched for example, from a roll of handkerchiefs packed in it. Alternatively, they may be handkerchiefs with an immediate dispatch arrangement or "scarves", that is, they are arranged so as to be folded in an interlaced fashion, for example, in a zig-zag pattern, this system Handkerchief dispatch is well known in the art. The container body (10) comprises an upper opening (12) which is closed by the cover member (11). The cover member (11) comprises a stationary lid member (13) and a mobile cover member (1), both made of any suitable synthetic resin material, for example polypropylene. The movable cover member (14) is hingedly attached to the stationary cover member (13), and both are provided with at least one rubber-like strip (15) which is placed on the outer side of the container (1) . A more detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention will now be made, with reference to the accompanying figures. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the container (1) comprises a container body (10), having any suitable conformation, for example, a polygonal or round shape, but preferably a practically rectangular parallelepiped shape . The container body (10) comprises side walls and an upper opening (12). It is made of any suitable thermoplastic polymer, such as, for example, a polypropylene or polyethylene material, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, but preferably of a polypropylene material, which is preferably molded by a molding process. injection. Optionally, the container body (10) can be made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material or can be made by an injection molding process multiple, to allow the molding of different parts, made of different materials, at the same time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In one embodiment of the present invention, the container body (10) comprises a second open side, preferably the lower side, which is closed by means of a removable cover. Thus, when empty, the container can be replenished with a new stack or new roll of tissues. Optionally, but preferably, the lower surface of the container (10) is larger than the upper surface, to increase the stability of the container. Moreover, and optionally, the removable cover is made of a material whose flexibility is such that the tightness between the removable cover and the container body increases. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the lid member (11) can be molded as an integral part of the container body (10) and, preferably, form the upper side of the container body. It may also be a separate part that fits into the container body (10), preferably as its upper part. The stationary lid member (13) comprises an upper floor (16) with at least one opening (17) on wherein the removable cover member (14) is attached and free to move in an articulated manner. The opening (17) has a surface within the range of 5 to 90% of the surface of the stationary lid member. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the content is of wet wipes that are to be removed one by one from the container (as shown in Figure 2), the stationary lid member (13) comprises a dispensing means that is, either, part of the stationary lid member (13) or a separate element that fits over the stationary lid member (13). This dispensing means comprises surfaces that are free of acute angles, the surfaces forming a restrictive channel through which the successive tissues are directed, during use. In this case, the handkerchiefs are bent (for example, zigzagged) in a manner that is well known to those skilled in the art. The dispensing means may also be a long opening in the stationary lid member through which the tissues are taken from a flat stack of tissues. In another embodiment of the present invention (shown in Figure 6), in particular when the tissues are dispensed from a roll, the stationary lid member (13) comprises a slot opening (18) that it is to be closed by means of a partial mobile cover member (1). The slot opening (18) and the corresponding partial mobile cover member (14) are preferably located in the front part of the cover (11), as shown in Figure 6, along almost all its length, to allow the user to dispatch a tissue across its entire width from a roll of tissues that is contained inside. Moreover, the front edge of the partial movable cover member (14) can be used to lock the tissue as soon as the desired length is reached from the roll (from a perforated or non-perforated frame). In addition, the front edge of the partial movable cover member (14) preferably comprises a means (19), for example, a series of sharp teeth or coniferous profiles (see Figure 6) to be used to facilitate blocking the handkerchief in its desired length and to cut the handkerchief dispatched from the roll. The stationary lid member (13) further comprises at least one articulation housing (20) (see Figure 5) in which the movable lid member (14) is hingedly positioned. The articulation housing (20) preferably has a rear side (21) with an angle that is used as a stop, so that the angle a to which the lid opens when unlatched can be defined and controlled. The value of angle a of the rear side (21) of the articulation housing (20) may vary, depending on the use made of the container. For handkerchiefs to be dispensed from the upper part of the container, the angle of the rear side (21) of the articulation housing (20) is preferably within the range of 90 ° to 120 °. In case the container is to be joined to a wall, it remains, preferably in the range of 45 ° to 90 °. In the event that the handkerchief is to be dispensed from a roll, the angle falls within the range of 20 ° to 45 °. Finally, the stationary lid member (13) comprises at least one attachment means (22) (see Figure 3) in which one end of the rubber strip (15) will be attached. This connecting means (22) is preferably located on the rear side of the stationary lid member (13). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an axle (29) is placed in a recess (30) and one end of the rubber strip (15) is mechanically attached in this e e (29). In another embodiment, especially when the end portions of the rubber strips (15) are to be joined to the parts of the lid (11) by ultrasonic sealing or thermal bonding, the attachment means (22) corresponds to the area, preferably recess of the stationary cover member (13) on which the seal or thermal bonding is practiced. The mobile cover member (14) is attached in the form articulated in the stationary lid member (13). It preferably has the shape of a plate and comprises pivot-like elements (see Figure 5), which are to be rotatably fixed in the articulation housing (20) of the stationary cover member (13). In addition, it comprises at least one attachment means (22), preferably similar to the at least one that is located in the stationary cover member (13) (for example, a recess (30) containing an axis (29) or a simple area of the movable cover member (14) on which one end of the rubber cap (15) is sealed by ultrasonic sealing or thermal bonding), on which another end of the strip (15) of rubber is attached This joining means (22) is preferably located in the rear portion of the movable cover member (14), as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. In order to create an automatic opening, it is provided at least one elastomeric or rubber-like strip (15). The rubber strip (15) can have various possible shapes, as long as it allows to create an automatic opening of the lid member (14) movable relative to the stationary lid member (13). In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a rectangular band * with both ends being thinner than the central portion of the band (see Figures 3 and 7). In the case that each means of union (22) of the mobile cap members (14) and (13) stationary comprise a recess (30) and an axis (29), each portion of the rubber strip (15) which is thicker has a defined length so that this end (23) ) thicker fits into the corresponding recess of the attachment means (22) of the stationary or movable lid member, as shown in Figure 3, and furthermore, each thicker end (23) of the rubber strip (15) it has a corresponding attachment means, for example in the form of a retention groove (24) which fits into the ee (29), as shown in Figures 3 and 7. A thicker end (23) of the strip (15) rubber is fixed to the outside of the stationary lid member (13) and the other thicker end (23) is attached to the outside of the movable lid member (14) (as shown in Figure 3). The rubber strip (15) is attached in such a way that it is normally stretched (see Figure 1) through the upper rear edge of the container (1) when the movable lid member (14) is in the closed position and thus, load with an elastic energy and remain in an elongated condition until the movable cover member (14) has reached a fully open position, then relaxes as shown in Figure 2. As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the tissues are to be dispensed from a roll, the movable cover member (14) is preferably located in the front of the top side of the stationary lid member (see Figure 6). Thus, in this particular case, the rubber strip (15) does not elongate through the rear angle of the container (1), as shown, for example, in Figure 1, but stretches along the top surface of the stationary cover member (13) (see Figure 6). It is made of natural or synthetic rubber or any other suitable material, so that it can be lengthened and loaded with enough potential elastic energy to create a spring-loaded opening mechanism. For fixing the rubber strip (15) in the joining means (22) of the stationary and mobile cover members, alternative fixing techniques such as for example ultrasonic sealing or thermal tightening, which are known to the experts, can be used. in the field of technology. In another embodiment of the present invention, this can be molded at the same time as the movable and stationary cap member (14) is molded, using a multiple injection molding process. This process, which is well known to those with skill in the art, represents the advantage of reducing the number of manufacturing operations and thus, the cost of manufacturing the package.

As shown in Figures 1 and (A &B), a releasable locking mechanism (25) is achieved using a first half (26), for example a latch that engages in another corresponding means (27) for example another latch or a recess, one of them being located in the cover member (14) movable and the other in the cover member (13) stationary, so that the locking mechanism (25) keeps the cover member (14) movable in the closed position when both means (26) and (27) are joined together. In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (25) is released directly (see Figure 4, A and B) by moving a movable element, for example a push button (28) on which a means (26) or (27) is connected, thereby decoupling a medium from the corresponding other means. In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (25) is indirectly released by applying an elastic deformation on the cover (11) near a mobile element, for example a push button (28), thereby displacing the mobile element and then decoupling the medium from the corresponding other medium. The combination between the rubber strip (15) and the releasable locking mechanism (25) constitutes a spring-loaded opening mechanism: with the push of a single finger, the lid unlocks and jumps completely to the open position, which is preferably defined by the angle on the back side (21) of the housing (20) of articulation, thereby providing immediate access to the contents of the container, preferably through the dispensing opening that is located in the stationary cover member (13).

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A container for holding handkerchiefs, preferably wet handkerchiefs, comprising a container body, a cover member that engages or is part of the container body, the cover member comprises a cover member stationary and a movable lid member, the movable lid member is hingedly attached to the stationary lid member, characterized in that the container comprises at least one elastically deformable strip extending from the outer side of the movable lid member towards the outer side of the stationary cover member. A container according to claim 1, wherein at least one elastically deformable strip is elongated on the upper rear edge of the container when the movable lid member is in the closed position, so that it is charged with an elastic energy. 3. A container according to claims 1 and 2, wherein at least one elastically deformable strip is attached to the movable and stationary cover members using retention notches that fit into corresponding axes. A container according to claims 1 and 2, wherein at least one elastically deformable strip is attached to the movable and stationary lid members using ultrasonic sealing. A container according to claims 1 and 2, wherein at least one elastically deformable strip is attached to the movable and stationary lid members using thermal clamping. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary lid member and / or the movable lid member comprises means for providing a releasable locking mechanism for securing the movable lid member in the closed position or for releasing the lid. movable lid member loaded with elastic energy, in the open position, thus giving access to the contents of the container. 7. A container according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the releasable locking mechanism is composed of a latch that fits into a corresponding recess. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable locking mechanism is released directly by displacing a movable element to which the bolt is connected, thereby uncoupling the latch from the recess. 9. A container according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the releasable locking mechanism is indirectly released by applying an elastic deformation over an area, the area is located sufficiently close to the locking mechanism, to uncouple the latch from the recess. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism by means of which the movable lid member is pivotally attached to the stationary lid member, allows to control the angle at which the movable lid is opened and where the angle is within the range of 20 ° to 120 °. 11. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable lid member comprises a series of tooth-like profiles to facilitate the tearing and cutting operations of the tissue of a roll. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a filler opening located on the underside of the container body, the filler opening being closed by a flexible removable cover.